Manifestation of leech infestation as severe gastrointestinal bleeding in a 3-year-old boy: a case report and review of the literature.
BMC Pediatr
; 22(1): 704, 2022 12 08.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36482427
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Leeches are a class of hermaphroditic parasites that can attach to various body parts and start sucking blood. Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding due to leeches is a rare phenomenon that is more common in less developed countries. Common symptoms include melena, hematemesis, pallor, weakness, and fatigue. Due to the similar symptoms of this issue to the main differential diagnoses of GI bleeding in pediatrics, such as diarrhea, constipation, diverticulitis, esophagitis, and anal fissures, it is challenging to differentiate it from the rest. CASE PRESENTATION We present a three-year-old boy who was transferred to our center with hematemesis, tarry stool, and a drop in hemoglobin level. He finally was diagnosed with a leech in his stomach.CONCLUSIONS:
In less developed counties, the inability to reach safe drinking water, swim in lakes or springs, and inadequate awareness of public health information among individuals can be risk factors for leech infestation.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Países em Desenvolvimento
/
Ingestão de Alimentos
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Child
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Child, preschool
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Pediatr
Assunto da revista:
PEDIATRIA
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Irã